It seems Wayne's outburst has been aimed at Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, in particular.

This could be interesting, Seven Days thinks to himself.

There was a time when the Old Fox could spray anyone - rival coaches, players or the media - with complete impunity because people assumed he was some sort of celestial being and beyond reproach.

That all changed last year when Knights coach Nathan Brown accused Benny of "thinking with his little head", a moment that evoked images of the kid in the Hans Christian Andersen tale who points out the emperor is starkers.

Since then it's been open slather. It would be no great surprise if Sticky, an Olympic-class sledger back in his playing days, returns fire with both barrels.

Meanwhile, the season is finally under way and one tackle from Nelson Asofa-Solomona, which reduces Matt Gillett to minced meat, is enough to dispel the theory that Melbourne Storm might struggle after the retirement of Billy Slater.

THE Knights kick off their campaign in triumphant fashion with their first win against Cronulla since 2015.

Making the victory even sweeter is the implosion of pantomime villains Josh Dugan and Paul Gallen.

Duges fumbles and bumbles his way through the first half after being terrorised by his former teammate Edrick Lee.

Gal knocks on in the dying seconds and a host of Newcastle players rush in to offer their sympathy and wish the old warhorse well in retirement. 

I later catch the replay of the Chooks and Bunnies at the SCG and can't help noticing the big fella playing right-side centre for Souths.

Those rumours about Greg Inglis being 15 kilos overweight during the pre-season might have been a conservative estimate.

THE theory that Queenslanders are simple folk is reaffirmed by a conversation between commentators Justin Hodges and Corey Parker during the Cows-Dragons clash in Townsville.

The two former Broncos for some reason agree that left-foot kickers are better than right-foot kickers.

It's right up there with another accepted "fact" from north of the border, that daylight savings fades the curtains and confuses the dairy cattle.

AS his teammates fly home from Townsville, Dragons forward Tyson Frizell is recovering in hospital after surgery to repair a ruptured testicle.

My Seven Days predecessor, Kevin Cranson, was obsessed with this type of injury and would grab any opportunity to remind readers that "it takes approximately 50 kilograms of pressure to rupture a testicle".

The Dragons claim in a press release that Frizell is "in a good condition and in good spirits", but just thinking about it makes the eyes water.

Frizell's injury may well have left teammate Jack de Belin with mixed emotions.

De Belin, of course, has been stood down by the NRL after a well-documented off-field incident.

In his absence, Frizell has been shifted from his usual role of edge back-rower into lock, which means he has to defend in the middle of the ruck.

In other words, it could have been de Belin's Jatz crackers on the receiving end of Jordan Kahu's knee, not Frizell's. Some might say that would have been appropriate.

SPEAKING on Channel Nine's 100% Footy, the aforementioned Gallen responds to comments from Knights coach Brown.

During Friday's post-match media conference, Brown says: "I'd be more interested to see what he [Gallen] thinks of us now ... it would be interesting to see if he thinks we're an improved footy side."

Gal replies: "If Browny is that interested in my opinion: I think they should make the eight with this Knights team. It's a fair squad he's got.

"If they don't, it would be a major disappointment for the club, the coach and a proud rugby league town."

Begrudging respect, or reverse mind games? I'm thinking the latter.

DRAGONS prop James Graham reiterates his views on concussion and rugby league.

"Some activities are more riskier than others, but that's part of the thrill of rugby league," says the big Pom, who once claimed players should be given the option of returning to the field after a head knock.

It's all right for Graham. He comes across as quite articulate and intelligent, and could probably continue to function minus a few brain cells.

Some of the other players out there aren't so lucky. The last thing they need is getting knocked even sillier.

MORE than 20 years after Super League came and went, John Ribot is still spruiking the "vision".

"It will sound like Sydney bashing, but I think over time teams will be going from Sydney and going to other areas," Ribot says.

"I'd love to see them do that. There will be some pain with it, but if it's done the right way, it can be very successful."

Concidently, Super Rugby has announced the Japanese Sunwolves franchise is folding after a three-year existence.

Thinking outside the square, maybe the NRL could relocate a team to Tokyo and resurrect Ribot's quest for global domination. Better late than never ...